Invitation Essentials: What To Include In Your Wedding Suite

A wedding invitation is more than just a card—it's a keepsake. It's the first glimpse your guests will have of your big day, so it's important to get it right. From traditional to modern, formal to fun, there are many ways to word a wedding invitation, but there are some key elements that should be included no matter what. Here's a breakdown of the essential components of a wedding invitation:

- Host Line: Traditionally, the bride's parents are the hosts and are named at the top of the invitation. However, including the names of both sets of parents is a gracious option, especially if they are contributing financially. If the couple is hosting themselves, the host line can be omitted or replaced with a warm and welcoming introduction.

- Attendance Request: This is where you invite your guests to share in the celebration of your union. Common phrases include request the honour of your presence for a religious ceremony or request the pleasure of your company for a non-religious ceremony.

- Couple's Names: The names of the couple are usually displayed in larger, sometimes fancier text. For different-sex couples, the bride's name typically comes first, followed by the groom's. For same-sex couples, names can be listed alphabetically or based on personal preference.

- Date and Time: Traditional invitations spell out the date and time in full (e.g., Saturday, the fifteenth of September, two thousand twenty-one, at half after four in the afternoon). Modern invites often use numerical figures.

- Location: Include the name and full address of the wedding venue, including the city, state, and zip code. If the wedding is abroad, add the country as well.

- Reception Details: If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, simply state reception to follow. If the reception is elsewhere, include the full address on a separate details card.

- Dress Code: Including dress code information is optional but can be helpful for guests. If your wedding is black-tie, it's important to mention this on the invitation.

- RSVP Details: Provide an RSVP date, typically three to four weeks before the wedding, and clear instructions on how guests can respond.

Host Line: The opening line on a wedding invitation, naming the hosts of the event

The host line is the opening line on a wedding invitation and names the hosts of the event. If multiple parties are hosting, you only need to include names if you want a formal feel to your invitations. If you are hosting the wedding yourselves, this line can be omitted.

Traditionally, the bride's parents are the hosts and are named at the top of the invitation, even for formal affairs. However, including the names of both sets of parents as hosts is a gracious option, no matter who is paying. More and more couples are hosting their own weddings or doing so together with their parents. In this case, you can use something like "Together with their parents, [couple's names] request the pleasure of your company..."

If you want to include the name of a parent who has passed away, you'll need to rearrange the standard format, as someone who has passed away can't serve as a host. Try this, for example: " [Bride/Groom name], daughter/son of Mr. [parent's name] and the late [parent's name], and [partner's name], son/daughter of Mr. and Mrs. [parent's names], request the honour of your presence at their wedding on [date] at [time of day] at [venue name and address], [city and state]. Dinner and dancing to follow. Black tie required."

If the couple's parents are divorced and you want to include both as hosts, include them all, keeping each parent on a separate line. If you're including the name of a stepparent, keep their name on the same line as their partner. Here's an example of how a bride with divorced (and remarried) parents worded the wedding invitation: "Dr. [mother's new last name] and [mother's name], Mr. [father's name] and [father's new partner's name], and Mr. and Mrs. [father's new last name] invite you to the wedding of their children [couple's names] [date] at [time] at [venue name and address]. Reception immediately following."

Attendance Request: Letting guests know they're invited

The attendance request is a crucial part of a wedding invitation, as it lets guests know they're invited and what they're being invited to. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft the perfect attendance request for your wedding invitation:

Wording the Attendance Request

The attendance request should be warm and inviting, setting the tone for your celebration. Here are some examples of attendance request wording:

• "Request the honour of your presence" (traditionally used for religious ceremonies)
• "Request the pleasure of your company" (used for non-religious ceremonies)
• "Invite you to celebrate with them"
• "Would love for you to join them"

Creative Ways to Request Attendance

If you want to add a creative or personal touch to your attendance request, consider something like:

• "We request the pleasure of your wee faces..."
• "Join us as we tie the knot!"
• "Come eat cake with us"

Providing Clear Information

While being creative is encouraged, it's important to provide clear information about the event. Be sure to include:

• The type of event (wedding, reception, or both)
• The date and time (spelled out for formal invitations)
• The name and address of the venue(s)
• Any additional details on a separate card or your wedding website

Handling Adult-Only Weddings

If you're having an adult-only wedding, it's important to be clear about this on the invitation. Here are some ways to word this politely:

• Address the invitations only to the invited adult guests
• Add a line such as "Unfortunately, children are not invited – we hope you understand"

Remember to keep the attendance request concise and clear, and feel free to add a creative twist to make it unique and reflective of your personality as a couple!

Couple's Names: The main event, usually displayed in larger text

The couple's names are the most important part of the invitation and should be displayed in larger text. This is the main event, after all! The names should be written in full, including middle names for a very formal wedding.

For a formal wedding invitation, the bride's name typically comes first, followed by the groom's name. If the bride's parents' names are listed at the top, the bride's name can just be her first and middle name, without her last name. In that case, the groom's name is either listed in full or his first and middle names are listed, followed by the line "Son of Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Wong."

For same-sex couples, you can list the names in alphabetical order by last name or based on what looks best with the invitation design. For less formal weddings, first names only are also an option.

• "Together with their families, Lydia Harrison and William Jones invite you to join them at the celebration of their marriage."
• "Jessica and Jane are getting hitched!"
• "Join us to celebrate our wedding."
• "The wedding of [couple]."
• "Join us as we tie the knot!"
• "Please join [couple] as we tie the knot!"
• "[Couple] invite you to share in our joy as we get married".
• "The future Mrs & Mrs Brooker-Drake Invite you to celebrate with them."

Date and Time: Should be spelled out in full for traditional invites

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are many different ways to communicate the date and time of the event. The way you choose to word this information will depend on the formality of your wedding and your chosen invitation design. Here are some guidelines and examples to help you craft the perfect invitation:

Formal Wedding Invitations

For formal wedding invitations, traditional etiquette dictates that the date and time are written out in full rather than using numerals. For example, if your wedding is taking place on Saturday, October 26th, 2024, the invitation would read:

> Saturday, the twenty-sixth of October two thousand twenty-four

• The day of the week should be capitalised (unless your wedding invitation's font is all uppercase or lowercase), and a comma separates the day of the week and the date.
• If the date falls between the 21st and 31st of the month, use a hyphen between the tens and ones place (e.g., "twenty-sixth").
• The month is capitalised and written out in full without abbreviations.
• The year is typically written on a separate line from the day and month, and there is no comma between the month and year.
• There is no hyphen between "two thousand" but a hyphen between the tens and ones in the year (e.g., "two thousand twenty-four").
• It is recommended to include the day of the week and the year, but they are not required.

When writing out the time of day for a formal invitation, continue the same traditional style:

• For times on the half-hour, use "half after" (not "half past") followed by the number (e.g., "half after three o'clock").
• For times on the hour, simply write out the number followed by "o'clock" (e.g., "four o'clock").
• The time of day should be written in lowercase letters.
• You don't need to specify "in the morning," "in the afternoon," or "in the evening" unless the time is 8, 9, or 10 o'clock, where there could be confusion.
• Any time after 5 p.m. is considered the evening, and between noon and 4:30 p.m. is the afternoon. For noon, simply write "noon."

Informal Wedding Invitations

If you're having a more casual wedding or prefer an informal tone, you can write out the date and time more simply. For example, if your wedding is on Sunday, May 17th, 2025, you can write:

> Sunday, May 17th, 2025, at 3:30 p.m.

You can also use numerals for the time, such as "4pm" or "5:30pm." Just remember to match the style of the time with the style of the date—don't mix written-out dates with numeral times or vice versa.

Other Considerations

• If your reception is immediately following the ceremony in the same location, a simple "reception to follow" or "dinner and dancing to follow" is sufficient.
• If the reception is at a different time or location, include a separate reception card with the details.
• Traditionally, the end times for the ceremony and reception are not included on the invitation. If you feel this information is important for guests, you can include it on your wedding website.
• To avoid late arrivals, some couples opt to print an earlier start time on their invitations (e.g., stating 5:00 pm when the ceremony begins at 5:15 pm). It is recommended to pad the time by no more than 15 minutes to avoid keeping your punctual guests waiting.

Remember, these are just guidelines, and you can ultimately choose the wording that best reflects your style and the tone of your wedding. Happy planning!

Location: Include the full street address of the venue

The location of the wedding venue is an important detail to include in your wedding invitation. Here are some tips and suggestions for providing this information:

Providing the Full Address

It is essential to include the full street address of your wedding venue. This ensures that your guests can easily find the location and avoids any confusion, especially if there are multiple venues with similar names. Include the venue's name, street address, city, and state. For international destinations, be sure to add the country as well.

Formatting the Address

When writing out the address, list the venue's name on one line, followed by the city and state on the next line. For formal weddings, it is customary to spell out the state name in full. The zip code is typically omitted from wedding invitations.

Private Residences

If your wedding is taking place at a private residence, such as the home of the couple or their parents, it is appropriate to include the street address on the invitation. This ensures that guests can locate the venue easily.

Reception at a Different Location

If your reception will be held at a different location from the ceremony, you should include the full address of the reception venue. This information can be provided on a separate reception card included in the invitation suite or on a details card tucked in with the main invitation.

Omit Address for Well-Known Venues

In some cases, you may choose to omit the street address if the venue is well-known or easily recognisable. However, it is still important to include the city and state to provide a sense of proximity for your guests.

Additional Information

If there are multiple events during the wedding weekend, such as a rehearsal dinner or post-wedding brunch, consider including these details on an activity card within the invitation suite. This keeps your guests well-informed and ensures they don't miss out on any of the festivities.

Proofreading and Clarity

Be sure to proofread your invitations carefully to ensure all information, including the venue address, is accurate. It is also essential to be clear and specific with the address to avoid any confusion.

Examples

• "The Ritz-Carlton, 123 Main Street, San Francisco, California"
• "Gulf Beach Resort Motel, 456 Ocean Boulevard, Sarasota, Florida"
• "The Reagan Library, Simi Valley, California"

Frequently asked questions